Scale with Distinction with Karl Strovink of Blue Bottle Coffee

Karl Strovink, CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee, discusses the brand's evolution, its commitment to quality and sustainability, and the innovative approaches being taken to redefine coffee experiences. He highlights the importance of community, the role of creativity in coffee culture, and the challenges posed by climate change. Strovink also shares insights on leadership and the significance of caring in building a better world.Takeaways:Blue Bottle Coffee is a leader in the specialty coffee segment.The brand is known for its commitment to quality and hospitality.James Freeman's artistic influence still shapes the coffee experience.Instant coffee can be made with specialty-grade coffee.Sustainability is a core value for Blue Bottle Coffee.Exploring alternative coffee varietals is essential for the future.Climate change poses significant challenges to coffee production.Blue Bottle achieved carbon neutrality in 2024.Dairy alternatives are becoming increasingly popular among consumers.Community engagement is crucial for successful expansion. Trends blowing West and East as they expand their footprint.Sound bites:“James Freeman brought artistic sensibility into the world of coffee.”“as a brand, Blue Bottle punches way above its weight. mean, we have anywhere from 15 to 30 % mass market awareness as a brand, but we occupy less than one half of 1 % share in the marketplace.”“We strongly believe that there's a better way with instant coffee and that instant can be specialty.”“It turns out that if you actually consider what can be done with those other varietals like Robusta, and treat them the way you do Arabica species, they can produce beautiful coffees.”“We did the hard work to actually baseline ourselves to understand our footprint across the value chain from green coffee all the way through to our offices.”“We've shifted our sourcing in certain places around the world to favor more regenerative, more healthy soil systems, farms, and farming practices.”“Many guests were preferring oat milk. So we just said, why don't we just lean into it?”“We're down something like two thirds in our emissions intensity around electricity around the world from the US to China and Japan.”“We in the US made the call in 2020 to be a primarily a work from home, remote workforce. Ss you can imagine, emissions intensity goes down from that.”"We want to scale with distinction."“We're repositioning the coffee category towards an East-West axis.”“Coffee is about building community, not just harvesting of business opportunities.”Links:Karl Strovink on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-strovink-9852a517/Blue Bottle Coffee - https://bluebottlecoffee.com/us/engBlue Bottle Coffee on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluebottlecoffeeBlue Bottle Coffee on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluebottleBlue Bottle Coffee on X - https://x.com/bluebottleroastBlue Bottle Coffee on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyki4e6RG84BT_xzi4oYkRw…A CEO for All Seasons, Book by Kurt Strovink (and others) - https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/ceo-for-all-seasonsAmerican Nations, Book by Colin Woodard - https://colinwoodard.com/books/american-nations/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 Introduction to Blue Bottle Coffee08:04 The Evolution of James Freeman's Role10:54 Innovations from the Blue Bottle Studio13:39 Quality and Technology in Instant Coffee18:21 Securing the Future of Coffee22:27 Exploring Coffee Varietals Beyond Arabica26:46 Achieving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability Goals33:10 The Shift to Oat Milk and Consumer Preferences37:11 East Meets West: Blue Bottle's Global Expansion41:56 Bridging Cultures: The East-West Connection42:43 Uniformity vs. Localization in Coffee44:19 Crafting Unique Experiences: The Blue Bottle Journey45:48 Balancing Innovation and Tradition49:46 Strategic Growth: Expanding with Distinction52:06 Word of Mouth: Building a Loyal Customer Base55:34 Lessons from Converse: Brand Stewardship and Leadership01:00:37 The Balance of Profit and Purpose01:04:03 Caring for Community: Building a Better WorldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The conversation centers around the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a USDA initiative aimed at supporting farmers in transitioning to organic practices. Ben Bowell and Jessy Beckett Parr discuss the program's origins, goals, and the collaborative efforts of various organizations involved. They highlight the importance of technical assistance, mentorship, and community building in fostering a successful organic farming network. The discussion also touches on the program's impacts, future sustainability, and the significance of respect and collaboration in achieving a better world for agriculture.Takeaways:TOPP is a USDA initiative with a $100 million budget.The program aims to support farmers transitioning to organic practices.Collaboration among organizations is key to the program's success.Technical assistance includes one-on-one support and mentorship.The program has reached thousands through various educational events.Farmers are compensated for mentoring new organic farmers.The program is designed to be community-based and regionally tailored.Future funding and sustainability are ongoing concerns for the program.The program aims to increase domestic organic production to meet consumer demand.The national partners are Organic Farmers Association, Trade Association, and Arizona State University Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems.The Regional Leads are Oregon Tilth, CCOD, OCIA, MOSA, Florida Organic Growers, and PCO.Modern Species developed their 2025 Impact Report which helped them secure the remainder of their grant after the government funding freeze.Sound bites:“If there's already the organic demand, we just need to meet the supply domestically.”“People in the United States who are inside of larger agricultural corporations, food-based corporations, see the disconnect and the need to invest resources in domestic supply and production.”“We all cooperatively wrote the organic standards together, along with other movement aligned groups in the 90s.”“One of the emergent themes for us of this work has been how important the network itself is and how keeping people in collaboration across organizations and state boundaries supports all of our success.”“I love hearing the stories of the farmer to farmer sharing. It's really powerful.”“I really feel like a better world looks like a world that's full of respect, for the people, for the planet and its delicate balance of biology and ecology.”"It's about continuous improvement."Links:Transition to Organic Partnership Program - https://www.organictransition.org/Impact Report for Transition to Organic Partnership Program - https://www.organictransition.org/impact-report/Ben Bowell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-bowell-85901a1b3/Jessy Becket Parr on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessy-beckett-parr-a5a681185/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 Introduction to the Transition to Organic Partnership Program04:33 Understanding the Transition to Organic Partnership Program07:57 The Role of Partnerships in Organic Transition09:07 Regional Partners and Their Selection Process11:31 Goals and Objectives of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program15:20 Highlights and Accomplishments of the Program20:14 The Importance of Collaboration and Community23:37 Managing a Successful Collaborative Program26:54 Getting Involved in the Program29:13 Who is the Program For?31:06 Free Resources and Support for Farmers32:16 Future Plans for the Program35:00 Funding Opportunities and Strategies37:36 Advice for Collective Action and CollaborationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Cassidy Johnston shares her journey from growing up in the city to becoming a first-generation large scale beef producer and ranch consultant. She talks about a college research project exploring the relationship between environmentalists and ranchers and how that led her to an internship where she met her husband, and eventually to her life on a farm. She discusses the complexities of ranching at scale, the importance of animal welfare, her thoughts on regenerative and organic practices, and the communication challenges that arise ag people and non-ag people make assumptions about each other. Cassidy advocates for building a more resilient food system that prioritizes collaboration and understanding among all stakeholders, and dreams of a better world where more people have access to high quality food.Takeaways:Cassidy Johnston is a first-generation beef producer and consultant.She transitioned from urban life to ranching, finding her place in the rural community.The importance of understanding the relationship between ranchers and environmentalists.Regenerative practices in agriculture are complex and vary by region.Communication between agriculture and corporate sectors is crucial for progress.Quality of food production should be prioritized over sheer efficiency.Hands-on experience is essential for those looking to enter the ranching industry.A better food system requires collaboration and understanding among all stakeholders.Sound bites:"I have an environmental studies degree from CU Boulder, which is a hippie degree from a hippie school.”“ That happened to be the day that I met the guy who would later become my husband.”“That paper really focused on the fact that ranchers and environmentalists have many of the same goals.”“I think the trouble with regenerative is it's really difficult to wrap it up in a neat bow and say this is regenerative and this isn’t.”“We have to be really, really cognizant of the fact that a lot of people are struggling to afford groceries and telling people that they should be paying nine or $12 or $15 a pound for regenerative ground beef is absolutely ridiculous.”“I've heard people say the cow is just a means to an end. No, she is her own sentient being. She deserves quality care.”“People will kind of look down on us for being the big guy, but when something goes wrong in their place, they call us to help because we have the skills.”“In order to understand how you can do things differently, you have to understand where we came from first.”“I think there's a lot of people in the corporate sphere who don't care. They're focused on making money. But, I also think there's a lot that do care, and it's our job to find them and help them do the best that they can with the power that they have.”“I would like to see a higher quality of pretty much everything. I don't care if you're large or small. I don't care if you're first gen or sixth gen. What is the quality of your operation?”“What are the things we can scale to fix these problems for everybody? Not just an elite few that have the money to pay for it. How do we make this better food more accessible? How do we give people the tools to fix it?”Links:Cassidy Johnston on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/casskjohn/JRC Consulting - https://jrcranchconsulting.com/JRC Consulting on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jrc-ranch-management-consulting/CKJ Communications & Consulting - https://casskjohnston.com/…When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (Book) - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25899336-when-breath-becomes-air…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 Introduction to Cassidy Johnston's Journey09:08 Navigating the Urban-Rural Transition14:59 The Intersection of Ranching and Environmentalism20:54 Understanding Regenerative Practices in Agriculture32:49 The Role of Communication in Agriculture44:47 Quality vs. Quantity in Food Production56:31 Advice for Aspiring Ranchers62:30 Building a Better Food SystemSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Madelyn Morris, co-owner of Mickelberry Gardens, shares insights into her journey of creating a honey herbal wellness brand that specializes in oxymels – a tonic made of honey, vinegar, and herbs. She discusses the benefits of oxymels, the importance of sourcing local and organic ingredients, and the value of B Corp certification. Madelyn share their founding story, the challenges they faced in the early years of the business, and what they’ve been able to accomplish in their 15 years in business. She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of passion and adaptability in business, and we wrap up with Madelyn sharing her vision of a better world.Takeaways:Mickelberry Gardens combines honey and herbalism for wellness.Oxymels are a tonic of honey, vinegar, and herbs with roots back to ancient Greece.Natural remedies are increasingly replacing pharmaceuticals.Sourcing local and organic ingredients is crucial for quality.Starting small allows for sustainable growth.B Corp certification provides a framework for improvement.Having a strong business partner can make a big difference.Adapting to change is essential for business longevity.Building a resilient business takes time and effort.A better world is one where all living things thrive.Sound bites:“The word oxymel is from Latin. Oxy is acid and mel is sweet or honey.”“Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, prescribed oxymels for a wide variety of health concerns.”“Honey and vinegar have amazing health benefits just on their own. And when you combine them, it adds a lot of additional benefits.”“The source of where the honey comes from really matters.”“‘I’ve noticed in my own garden that bees are really drawn to the medicinal herbs.”“There was something like really magical about harvesting elderberries for the first time.”"It's okay to start small."“We're still manufacturing everything that we sell.”“Just doggedly pursuing it if you really believe in it. Not giving up and continuing to work at it is really the only way you're gonna get there or get anywhere.”"A better world is one that is holistic where all things, even the tiny unseen things, are thriving.”Links:Promo Code: BRANDSFORABETTERWORLD15% off on all oxymel honey tonics, sprays, and skin care from our online shop! www.mickelberrygardens.com…Madelyn Morris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelyn-morris-86642819/Mickelberry Gardens - https://mickelberrygardens.com/ Mickelberry Gardens on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mickelberry-gardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MickelberryGardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickelberrygardens/Mickelberry Gardens on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mickelberrygardens2593…Changing Your Mind by Michael Pollan (Book) - https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 Introduction to Mickelberry Gardens06:09 Understanding Oxymels: The Sweet and Sour Remedy09:02 Product Offerings: Exploring Unique Formulations11:46 Transitioning from Pharmaceuticals to Natural Remedies14:51 The Journey of Starting a Business17:37 The Importance of Local and Organic Sourcing20:55 The Health Benefits of Honey and Its Sources23:59 Lessons Learned in Business Growth26:43 Reflections on Business Strategy and Growth33:56 The Evolution of Business Growth35:45 Current Operations and Challenges38:23 The Importance of Delegation41:37 Manufacturing Control and Revenue Streams43:51 Becoming B Corp Certified47:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs53:44 Personal Insights and RecommendationsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Allison Carey, VP of Marketing at Raw Sugar Living, talks about the brand’s mission to provide better-for-you hair and body products at an affordable price, while also lifting spirits through positive messages, images, and experiences. She touches on the Gen Z consumer’s desire for authenticity, education, and values-alignment in the brands they support, and how the brand appeals to that generation through their raw voice and integrity. Allison sheds insights into their product development guardrails, and the importance of creating products that are safe for sensitive skin, kids, and even fur kids (dogs). We discuss the brand’s commitment to us 100% post consumer recycled (PCR) content in their bottles by 2030, their give back program that has donated over 20 million bars of soap and other clean essentials to families in need, and what the future looks like for Raw Sugar Living. We wrap up by hearing Allison’s personal vision for a better world.Takeaways:The Clean Beauty Movement is a significant trend.Gen Z prefers authenticity, education, and values alignment over big splashy campaigns.Raw Sugar Living is dedicated to making clean beauty accessible and affordable.  The brand avoids harmful ingredients and prioritizes safe formulations.  Fragrance is carefully selected to enhance the consumer experience without compromising safety.  Consumer insights drive innovation, particularly in catering to younger generations.Understanding consumer preferences is essential for marketing.Consistency in messaging is crucial for brand loyalty.Brands need to adapt to changing consumer expectations.Authenticity can differentiate brands in a crowded market.Sound bites:“Gen Z really is not as interested in the big splashy campaigns and trends. They want more authenticity, more education, and they want brands that live into those values.”“We don't just say Clean For All because we're an affordable brand. It also means that we have something for your whole family.”“We formulate without phthalates, without silicones, and we also have a very strict policy on fragrance. So you can be rest assured that everything you're putting on your skin, not only is it safe and better for you, but it's also effective.”“The post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic initiative was one that was started from the brand's inception.”“We believe it's like a full immersive 360 experience. So it's good for you, it smells good, and you walk out of the shower feeling better.”“We put sugar notes on the back of everything and it's always like a positive uplifting message.”“We also have something for your fur kids too, because we have a line called Fur Kids and that is for your dogs.”“A better world, to me, is definitely one where we all strive to make each other feel grateful and happier for what we have and how we use it.”Links:Allison Carey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-carey-23942849/Raw Sugar Living - https://rawsugarliving.com/Raw Sugar Living on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/raw-sugar-living/Raw Sugar Living on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rawsugarliving/Raw Sugar Living on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rawsugarliving/Raw Sugar Living on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rawsugarliving_…Joyful (Book) by Ingrid Fetell Lee - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43300050…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, John Tran talks about joining Vita Coco to help evolve their sustainability and social impact programs at the same time that were becoming a publicly traded company and going through the rigorous B Corp Certification process. He shared how they shifted their impact efforts from a collection of passion projects to a more coordinated and comprehensive ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness. John then detailed some impact programs, like their ambitious goal of distributing and planting 10 million seedlings and trees globally! This conversation also covers the health benefits of coconut water, some big challenges in the coconut industry, and the importance of collaborating with local organizations to maximize impact in farming communities. John wraps up by sharing that a better world is one in which everyone is thriving, economically, socially, and beyond.Takeaways:Vita Coco became B Corp Certified and a publicly-traded, Public Benefit Corporation in 2021.Vita Coco’s ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness.Coconut water has 3.5X the electrolyte of common sports drinks.Aging trees have lower yields, which makes it harder to keep up with demand and reduces farmer income. Over a million seedlings have been distributed, with a goal of 10 million seedlings by 2030.The Vita Coco Community Foundation was founded to make sure that everyone in the coconut industry is thriving.Collaboration with local organizations is crucial for their impact programs.They partner with indigenous communities to train farmers in regenerative agriculture practices.Sound bites:“As brands come online with B Corp certification, it really gives us some kind of litmus to understand where we stand within the sustainability and social governance spaces.”“When you have many passionate people who are driving their passion projects, there isn't always a clear framework in terms of what we're driving towards.”“I very much see myself as kind of an accelerator to be able to support a lot of the projects that are existing within the organization.”“Coconut farming communities are just so inherent to our business, right? They are the heart of our business. And without them, there's really no VitaCoco.”“We want to create more economic empowerment within farming communities and more upward mobility by way of our impact programs.”“The great thing about coconut water is natural hydration. It has three and a half times the electrolytes of more common sports drinks.”“Finding what you're good at and what you're passionate about is really one of the keys to success of this role in any kind of role you'll have within sustainability.”Links:John Tran on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tran-07047715/Vita Coco - https://vitacoco.com/Vita Coco on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-vita-coco-company/Vita Coco on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VitaCocoUS/Vita Coco on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vitacocoVita Coco on X - https://x.com/vitacocoVita Coco on SnapChat - https://www.snapchat.com/@vitacocoVita Coco on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vitacoco?…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Jasen Urena and Ted Robb tell us how New Barn became part of the NestFresh family, and how the two brands are helping each other scale their positive impact. From New Barn’s long journey toward becoming Regenerative Organic Certified, to NestFesh’s 30+ years of being early adopters of certifications like Non-GMO Verified, Certified Humane, and Humanely Hatched, both brands love to push the industry forward. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting family farms, protecting animal welfare, and making the world better for future generations. Jasen and Ted wrap up by sharing what’s next for the brands, their favorite ways to eat their products, and their definitions of a better world.Takeaways:The innovations NestFresh has made over it’s 30+ years in business.Why New Barn decided to join the NestFresh family.How outside investment means small family farms are getting left behind.Humanely Hatched is sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.New Barn’s path to becoming Regenerative Organic Certified.The importance of continuous improvement for the whole supply chain.The need for innovation and focus to scale efficiently.How teams believing in their purpose is crucial for impactful initiatives.How both brands strive to keep being the first to take big impact steps.Sound bites:“A lot of these things that we've done over the years, we were always told it's not gonna work. But we believed in the concepts.”“It's actually really fun to make money, but it's only because then you can start thinking about all the things that you can do with it.”“There was a point where we had over 20 SKUs. We're 5 SKUs now and I feel like our business is far better than it was before.”“Continuous improvement is the new North Star because it's so valuable to everybody in the chain.”“We're gonna grow regenerative organic acreage under the New Barn brand for almonds, know, almonds, coconut and eggs. And that will lead to a real impact on our environment for future generations.”“We're gonna make an impact by sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.”“Our NestFresh brand portfolio is going to be 100% Humanely Hatched by 2027.”“We gotta stay true to our core beliefs, we gotta stay true to our core purpose. And we innovate within that realm.”Links:NestFresh - https://nestfresh.com/Jasen Urena on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasen-urena-27179013/NestFresh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestfresheggs/NestFresh on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NestFreshEggsNestFresh on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nestfresheggs/NestFresh on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/NestFreshEggsNestFresh on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/…New Barn - https://www.newbarnorganics.com/New Barn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/newbarnorganics/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Paul Schiefer, president of Amy's Kitchen, shares the inspiring founding story of the company, which began with a quest for better frozen meals. He discusses the innovative approaches to product development, the importance of company culture and values, and the value of embracing complexity in business. Paul highlights Amy's commitment to sustainability and their B Corp status, emphasizing the impact of organic and vegetarian practices. He also shares insights on the future vision for the company, the importance of curiosity and passion in entrepreneurship, and personal reflections on food and life.Takeaways:Amy's Kitchen was founded out of a need for better frozen meals.The original pot pie was a key product that launched the brand.Innovation at Amy's focuses on quality and culinary techniques.Company culture is deeply rooted in the founders' values.Sustainability is a core principle of Amy's business model.The future vision includes generational sustainability and growth.Curiosity and passion are essential for success in business.Amy's Kitchen embraces complexity in food production.The company aims to make healthy food accessible to all.Doing good in business leads to long-term success.Sound bites:“He started looking for some frozen food options to bring home and feed the family, and just frankly was disappointed.”"The original recipe was Rachel's mom's Elinor. It was kind her pot pie that helped inspire the start of the company"“I think what Amy's has done really well is accept that complexity is actually valuable.”"Doing good is good for business."“We want to protect our mission in part by continuing to be a really profitable and efficient company.”“We're also trying to think about this more on a generational timeframe, not just on like a three to five year timeframe.”“It was such a novel idea to create an organic vegetarian fast food restaurant that, before we knew it, we had a line that literally went across the parking lot.”“We’re buying a hundred plus million pounds of organic agriculture every year and supporting thousands of farmers.”“I’m proud of the fact that we have scaled that type of [impact] business model.”Links:Paul Schiefer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschiefer/Amy’s Kitchen - https://www.amys.com/Amy’s Kitchen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/amy's-kitchen/posts/?feedView=allAmy’s Kitchen on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyskitchenAmy’s Kitchen on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amyskitchenAmy’s Kitchen on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/AmysKitchenMovies…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 The Founding Story of Amy's Kitchen06:01 Innovation and Product Development at Amy's09:03 Cultural Values and Company Evolution11:47 Navigating Growth and Market Challenges15:00 The Drive to Create Quality Fast Food17:47 Maintaining Independence and Company Values31:10 Launching a Unique Concept33:06 The Importance of Sustainable Growth35:43 Commitment to Impact and B Corp Status40:04 Holistic Approach to Sustainability44:47 Future Vision for Amy's Kitchen52:24 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Kevin Bayuk shares what inspired them to create the Next Economy MBA program, who it’s for, and what the curriculum covers. We talk about the shortcomings of the existing MBA programs and the need for one that goes beyond basic ESG frameworks. Bayuk talks about how they’ve used participant feedback to continuously evolve the program, and how their alumni continue to stay engaged after graduating. We then talk about the Next Economy MBA book, which serves a nice introduction to topics in the program, the other technical assistance Lift Economy provides, and what new offerings are on the horizon. Kevin wraps up by sharing his vision of a better world.Takeaways:Lyft economy’s mission to transform the very nature of the business as usual economy to an economy that works for the benefit of all life.The lack of options available for learning about impact business models beyond basic ESG frameworks.How the Next Economy MBA program was collaboratively developed.The ways in which the program has evolved over the years.Why they decided to write the Next Economy MBA book, and how it related to the program itself.Who tends to go through the MBA program, why, and where it leads them.The other technical assistance programs Lift Economy offers.Kevin’s involvement in the Urban Permaculture Institute.Simplifying life can help you focus on what truly matters.Science fiction can inspire new ideas and perspectives.A world with no one left out is a worthy goal.Passion can drive meaningful change in society.Sound bites:“We got started by listening to what our stakeholders were interested in.”“Do it in ways that are distinct from the structures and patterns and norms of the exploitation-oriented, business-as-usual economy.”"It's an evolving service or product that continues to change every cohort based on participant feedback.”“We're now at about 800 people who have enrolled and participated in the training.”“It's really been kind of electrifying just to seeing the types of collaborations that can emerge.”“The book is a good way to get introduced to the core concepts.”"Explore the imagination landscape."“What would a world look like that works for everybody with no one left out.”“Try and simplify your life to make your needs as simple as possible to meet and then just stick with it.”“How do we orient our life design to reduce our costs of living and live more authentically in alignment with our values.”Links:Kevin Bayuk on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbayuk/Lift Economy - https://www.lifteconomy.com/Lift Economy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifteconomy/Lift Economy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/Lift Economy on X - https://x.com/lifteconomyLift Economy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5D6TM2pOWwGNcxA-ucd-EgThe Next Economy MBA - https://go.lifteconomy.com/nextmbaBook: The Next Economy MBA - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-next-economy-mba-redesigning-business-for-the-benefit-of-all-life-erin-axelrod/028990c9a162693fPodcast: Next Economy Now - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-economy-now-for-the-benefit-of-all-life/id1074584017…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Syed and Amer share how family tragedy, living around the world, and experience in the packaged good industry all led them to launch their own food brand, Auntie Rana’s. They share how their marketing strategy resulted in landing 300 influencers, 4-5 retail partners, and loads of press by the week of their official launch. The discussion covers their 100 year family history in business, their connection to and passion for the food industry, and why they’ve decided to donate 5% of their product to wildlife conservation. Syed and Amer and excited to be the first to introduce North America to the Naga chili, which is beloved for its fragrance in other parts of the world. The conversation then goes on to talk about the challenges they faced launching the brand, their hopes for the future, and what a better word means to Syed and Amer.Takeaways:Syed and Amer’s father passing started them on the path to launching a food brand. Having lived in California, Bangladesh, Singapore, Montreal, Toronto gives them a unique view of global foods and tastes.Their experience in the food industry and large consumer goods companies guided their launch.Auntie Rana’s brand secured 4-5 retail partners on launch day.Launching with over 300 influencers will help promote the product.Auntie Rana’s gives 5% of profits to animal conservation causes.They’re the first brand to introduce the Naga chili to North America.Launching with 4 different products gives them both product range and focus.Their family has been in business for a hundred years.Sound bites:“Our family's been through a lot of turmoil. The 2008 financial crisis kind of wiped out all of our assets and our homes and everything. Then our Dad got cancer in 2016.“Naga chili is absolutely beloved in Eastern Bangladesh to India's Seven Sisters because of the fragrance. It's wildly amazing.”“My mom always said you’ve got to try everything three times. That's why our palate grew so much.”“These are the areas that the exact same wildlife is affected by the agriculture. We’re trying to help those areas.”“Reading history is powerful, because every mistake you're going to make, someone's already made it. Why not just learn from that?”“If you're not passionate about it, you're going to burn out.”Links:Auntie Rana’s - https://auntieranas.com/Syed Khaleque on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/syed-khaleque-586aaab/Auntie Rana’s on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/auntie-rana-s/about/Auntie Rana’s on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/auntieranas/Auntie Rana’s on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/auntieranas/Auntie Rana’s on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@auntieranas…Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation - https://www.orangutan.or.id/Wildlife Alliance - https://www.wildlifealliance.org/Wildlife SOS - https://wildlifesos.org/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.